Hypodermic syringe destruction method and device therefor

ABSTRACT

A method of and a manually operable destruction device for irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the pliable or rigid tubular plastic syringe portion of a disposable hypodermic syringe commonly known and referred to hereinafter as a hypodermic needle. A pair of pivotally connected levers have respective flat surfaces for flush engagement for irreversibly flattening the needle portion, and respective ridged surfaces for engaging the syringe portion and irreversibly deforming it so as to disable its fluid containment function as by creating an aperture therein. A pin projects from one of the levers adjacent its ridged surface for stopping and holding relatively large syringe portions against rolling out of the ridged surface region during deformation, and has a sharp point for piercing an overlapping bulge of a syringe portion caused by deformation. Interchangeable mounting means are provided for removable securement of the device to a surface of a table or counter.

l [72] Inventor United States Ptet Melvin T. lPaulson 420 Eton Drive, Burbank, Calif. 91504 [211 App]. No. 758,232 [22] Filed Sept. 9, 1968 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [54] HYPODERMIC SYRINGIE DESTRUCTIION METHOD AND DEVICE THEREFOR 12 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

52 u.s.c1. 241/25, 100/98, 100 235,,241/99, 241/264 51 Int.Cl B02c 1/04,

[50] Field ofSearch; 241/99, 168,169, 264, 285, 287, 10 1, 25, 29-, 30; 100/233,

234, 235, 98 (can crushing digest); 30/363; 7/5.4,

1 1 wmm Primary Examiner-Donald G. Kelly Attorney-Allan M. Shapiro ABSTRACT: A method of and a manually operable destruction device for irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the pliable or rigid tubular plastic syringe portion of a disposable hypodermic syringe commonly known and referred to hereinafter as a hypodermic needle. A pair of pivotally connected levers have respective flat surfaces for flush engagement for irreversibly flattening the needle portion, and respective ridged surfaces for engaging the syringe portion and irreversibly deforming it so as to disable its fluid containment function as by creating an aperture therein A pin projects from one of the levers adjacent its ridged surface for stopping and holding relatively large syringe portions against rolling out of the ridged surface region during deformation, and has a sharp point for piercing an overlapping bulge of a syringe portion caused by deformation. Interchangeable mounting means are provided for removable securement of the device to a surface of atable or counter.

HYPODERMIC SYRINGIE DESTRUCTION METHOD AND DEVICE THEREFOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to destruction devices for irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the pliable or rigid tubular plastic syringe portion of a disposable hypodermic needle.

It has long been the practice to use disposable hypodermic needles of relatively inexpensive construction for the purpose of administering a single shot, drawing a single blood sample, and so forth, such hypodermic needles being of the disposable type for hygienic and other reasons. Disposable hypodermic needles include a tubular metal needle portion and a tubular plastic syringe portion, the syringe being composed of either pliable plastic material such as polyethylene or rigid plastic material of various types. Disposal of such hypodermic needles has long been a problem due to the ease with which narcotics users and others associated with illicit narcotics traffic have been able to obtain such disposable hypodermic needles for illicit use by merely picking them out of the trash containers at or outside of 'hospitals and medical offices. The problem has been so acute and prevalent for such a long period of time that many states have enacted criminal laws against disposal of hypodermic needles without destruction thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art Accordingly, there have been many attempts in the past to provide means for destruction of such disposable hypodermic needles, such means comprising ovens for melting the syringe portion but which do not adversely affect the needle portion so that the latter portion can be salvaged and reused, or shears for cutting the needle portion but leaving the problem of syringe portion disposal as well as creating additional hazards in handling and disposal of the sharply pointed cut off portion of the needle which, in addition to the obvious physical hazard, may be medically hazardous due to germs. Further, cutting off only the sharp point leaves a reusable portion of the needle, while cutting at the base leaves a reusable pointed portion, and cutting off at both the point and base compounds the above-mentioned hazards. In addition to the prior art attempts at solutions of the problems having resulted in expensive and inconvenient devices and apparatuses which largely do not solve all of the problems, none of the prior art attempts have resulted in a unitary device which can be used to perform both functions of irreversible disabling of both the needle portion and the syringe portion while leaving the needle and syringe portions attached to each other for final disposal by merely throwing away the functionally destroyed hypodermic needle as a single unit, the unit having been held by only one hand during the entire disabling operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a destruction device for'irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the pliable or rigid tubular plastic syringe portion of a hypodermic needle, comprising a pair of elongated levers which are pivotally connected at their forward ends for relative opening and closing rotation in a vertical plane, flat surfaces located in opposed registration with each other on respective levers for direct flush abutment with each other whereby the closing of the levers upon a tubular metal needle portion, which has been laterally inserted between the flat surfaces, causes irreversible flattening of the needle for preventing fluid passage therethrough, the needle thus being flattenable at either or both the pointed end and/or the base-end so that it cannot be reused whether with or without the attached syringe portion or a new one thereof, and each of the levers being provided with a ridged surface adjacent its corresponding flat surface and in opposed registration with each other whereby closing of the levers upon a syringe portion, which has been laterally inserted between the ridged surfaces, causes irreversible deformation of the syringe portion for preventing fluid containment thereby so that it is no longer reusable whether with or without the attached needle portion or a new one thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one of the levers is provided with a vertically extending pin adjacent its corresponding ridged surface, the other lever having a hole in opposed registration with the pin for reception thereof. Particularly in connection with large diameter syringe portions, the pin serves to stop and hold the syringe against movement, as by rolling, out of the ridged surface region during closing of the levers. Preferably, the pins free end has a sharp point and the pin is shorter than the diameter of the conventional large pliable plastic syringe so that, as a bulge is formed in the syringe during squeezing by the levers, such bulge projects over the pin and is pierced thereby during further closing movement of the levers. Further, an already deformed syringe portion can be laid upon the pin for direct piercing, if pliable plastic, or further splintering, if rigid plastic, as a coup de grace. Preferably, the pin receiving hole in the opposite lever has a substantially mating configurationfor the pin to assure stress concentration on the syringe portion therebetween. In order to assure maximum stopping action on the syringe during initial closing of the levers, positive piercing action during intermediate lever closing, and smooth entry of the pin into its opposite hole during final closing of the levers, the sharp point of the pin is the extremus ofthe stopping edge.

Preferably, the ridged surface comprises a plurality of parallel ridges transverse of the lever, the longitudinal spacing between the ridges being less than the diameter of the smallest conventional syringe portion to assure squeezing contact by at least two ridges but far enough apart to assure contact with the syringe by only a minumum number of ridges so that maximum stress concentration is obtained for disabling deformation of the syringe portion. Such deformation occurs either by cracking or splintering a rigid plastic syringe or irreversibly deforming a pliable plastic syringe, the latter deformation usually resulting in a cut, hole or other aperture but not necessarily so, since permanent deformation out of its cylindrical shape prevents its being able to function in its normal fluid containment manner because of leaks around the conventional syringe plunger. The ridges preferably have a slightly truncated chisel edge configuration so as to have small area, flat top surfaces residing in the same plane and separated by substantially semicylindrical valleys for maximized grip and stress concentration effects without requiring knife edged top surfaces which may become dulled in use.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the levers are elongated, so that great closing forces can be applied easily, and have considerable thickness for sufficient strength to withstand bending moments. Accordingly, the lever jaw regions comprising the needle flattening surfaces and ridged surfaces are laterally beveled so as to reduce the effective lateral dimension of such surfaces whereby the stress concentration effect is maintained.

The device is securely mounted on a table or counter sur face via any one of several sets of interchangeable mounting members such as suction, cups, magnets or bolts.

Thus, the present invention provides a destruction device and method of use thereof wherein the device is operated by one hand while the operator holds the hypodermic needle portion and the syringe portion laterally between the levers at the appropriate regions for irreversible disabling deformation of the hypodermic needle without removing any portion thereof and while still held by the operator so that disposal is immediate.

Still other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention, together with various modifications, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts in the several FIGS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hypodermic needle destruction device in accordance with the present invention, a conventional disposable hypodermic needle being shown in broken lines in position for deformation of its needle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a hypodermic needle illustrating various aspects of destruction of the needle and syringe portions by means of the inventive device;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the device in closed position, a phantom line generally indicating an angular position of the upper lever in an open position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view partly broken away and sectioned, of the deformation sections of the device, both the needle and syringe portions being shown in illustrative positions in phantom lines;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view as seen substantially along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view, similar in aspect to FIG. 4, with a pliable plastic syringe portion being shown in phantom lines as it is deformed and pierced by means of the inventive device;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away and sectional, showing magnetic mounting members removably secured to the device;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away and sectional, showing another embodiment of mounting members on the device; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts broken away and parts taken in section, of a portion of the mounting structure shown in FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3 initially, there is seen a hypodermic needle destruction device in accordance with the present invention and comprising a pair of levers l0 and 12 joined together by a pivot pin 14 for pivotal movement therebetween in a vertical plane and adapted to be removably secured to a surface 16 as of a table or counter by means of mounting members such as the illustrated suction cups 18 and 20 respectively mounted at front and rear ends of the device as by threaded securement at 22 and 24 to the undersurface of a coupling base member 26 and the rear end of the lower lever 10. It will be understood that, prior to use, suction cup 18 (shown in its relaxed condition) will be depressed to a condition similar to that illustrated for suction cup 20 whereby secure engagement with surface 16 is attained; in such position, lever 10 will be maintained in its preferred position parallel to surface 16. The upper lever 12 is provided with a hand grip knob 28 secured thereto as by threaded engagement at the upper surface of the rear end 30 thereof for obtaining maximum leverage in operation. In a preferred embodiment illustrated, the levers l0 and 12 may be manufactured, as by casting, from the same mold so as to be initially identical in construction and configuration, with the lower lever 10 being secured to the coupling base member 26 as by welding, with the upper lever 12 being secured to the base member 26 by means of the pivot pin 14 which preferably is press fit through a pair of parallel vertical arms 32 and 34 integrally extending rearwardly from the base member 26 and adapted to receive the respective front ends of the lower and upper levers l0 and 12, the latter in slidable engagement for ease of pivoting action. The pivot pin 14 is in rotatable engagement with the upper lever 12.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 4-7, it is seen that each of the levers 10 and 12 is provided with a respective flat surface 36 and 38 and a plurality of transversely parallel ridges, such as at 40 and 42. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the lower lever 10 is provided also with a dual purpose pin 44 projecting upwardly from the lower lever 10 and rearwardly adjacent to the region of the ridges 40. The upper lever 12 is provided with an aperture 46 for receiving the pin 44 in relatively close confinement when the levers 10 and 12 are closed relative to each other. The pin 44 effectively provides a vertical forward edge 48 which upwardly terminates in a sharp point 50.

As seen more clearly in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the sidewalls of the levers 10 and 12 are symmetrically beveled as at 52 and 54 along both the flat and ridged regions whereby the needle flattening surfaces 36 and 38 are relatively narrowed for increasing the squeezing pressure but still have substantial width whereby the needle is not cut or otherwise severed by the flattening action but rather is deformed flatly from its original hollow tubular shape into a flat shape as though composed of two flat plates in intimately joined relationship so that the normal passage therethrough is completely closed and eliminated. The syringe crushing ridges 40 and 42 are formed with a longitudinal series of alternating concavities, as at 56 and 58, to provide a series of chisellike edges having flat upper surface ridges 40 and 42 in coplanar relationship to each other and in the same plane as the needle flattening surfaces 36 and 38. Thus, each of ridges 40 and 42 is relatively thin in width, as measured in the longitudinal direction of the levers, and longer, as measured in the width direction of the levers, than their width. Such chisel edged ridges 40 and 42 thus have a relatively small surface area for stress concentration when applied in crushing operation to the syringe portion, while the intermediate concavities 56 and 58 create a syringe gripping action to aid in secure holding of the syringe during the crushing operation as the jaw sections are brought together by the levers.

While the operation of the above-described device now should be clear, additional features and various modifications may be more fully understood by the following operational description.

As seen in FIG. 3, the device is resting on a surface 16. By merely pressing down on the handle 28 and the base 26, respective end suction cups 20 and 18 are compressed and adhere to the surface 16 in a conventional manner so that the device is removably secured to the surface 16, which may be any convenient surface adjacent to the operators work station for administering shots or drawing blood samples with disposable hypodermic needles. It will be noted that, when so secured, the levers 10 and 12 will be horizontally oriented. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, it will be noted that the opposing faces 60 and 62 of the major lengths of the levers l0 and 12 do not meet when the levers are at rest, such gap therebetween being intentionally formed to allow for lever beam deflection during the squeezing operation whereby full forces are available at the flattening, crushing and piercing areas adjacent the fulcrum pivot pin 14.

As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the hypodermic needle 66 may be held by the operator by one hand (not shown) and the needle portion 64 laterally inserted between opposing faces 36 and 38 of the levers 10 and 12 when the latter are open so that, upon forcible closing of the levers by merely downward force on the handle 28 by the operators other hand, a region of the needle portion is irreversibly flattened as at 64' (FIG. 2); if desired, the needle portion 64 then may be partially withdrawn and the levers again closed to flatten the pointed end, whereupon either upward or downward bending movement of the hypodermic needle 66 while maintaining the levers closed causes the needles pointed end to be both irreversibly flattened and bent as at 64" (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Preferably, then (or prior, if desired) the syringe portion 68 is laterally inserted between the open levers so as to rest on the lower ridges 40 and the levers are forcibly closed again. If the syringe portion is composed of the rigid plastic type of material, the syringe portion 68 will crack, split and/or splinter along lines of stress concentration which are longitudinal of the syringe portion and correspond to the lines of contact of at least two of each of the ridges 40 and 42 which forcibly squeeze it, thus creating generally a plurality of apertures in the syringe portion 68 so as to destroy its fluid containment capability. If

the syringe portion is composed of the pliable plastic type of material, it will be deformed irreversibly from its original shape so that, independent of the fact that normally it also will be punctured by the ridges 40 and 42, it-cannot perform its original function due to lack of concentricity with the hypodermic needle plunger 70.

As seen in FIG. 4, a syringe portion 68 composed of rigid plastic may have a tendency to roll rearwardly along the ridges 40 during initial depression of the upper lever 12; the forward wall or edge 48 of the pin 44 acts as a limiting stop to maintain the syringe portion in the ridged region.

As seen in FIG. 7, a large diameter syringe portion 68 composed of pliable plastic is preferably disposed against the pin 44 so that, upon closing of the levers, the naturally occurring bulge 68' if forced down upon the point of the pin 44 and pierced thereby to cause a puncture as indicated at 72 in FIG.

' 18 is integrally provided with an upwardly extending cylindrical boss 80 formed to mate with the sidewall 78 upon insertion into the base member 26. The boss 80 has a central vertical bore 82 into which an internally threaded metal sleeve 84 is secured for threadedly receiving the stud 74, which threaded engagement is attained by screwing the suction cup 18 relative to the base member 26. Similarly at 24, the rear end of the lower lever is tapped to receive a threaded metal stud 86 extending upwardly from the rear suction cup 20. It will be noted that the suction cups 18 and may be removed by unscrewing them, whereby other mounting members may be attached as now described.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the device is seen to be provided with magnetic mounting means for magnetic attachment to a ferrous metallic surface 16'. A bar magnet 88 is press fit into an arcuate sleeve clip 90 which is nonmagnetic and integrally provided with a plate 92 extending tangentially and adapted to abut against the undersurfaceof thebase' member 26. A nut 94 has a knurled annular surface and is integrally provided with an upwardly extending central stud 96 which loosely projects through an aperture in the plate 92 and is internally threaded for receiving a major portion of the base member stud 74. Thus, the front end of the device rests upon and is magnetically attached to the surface 16' via the just-described elements. A plug'magnet 98 is threadedly secured to the rear end of the device, via a threaded stud 86' extending upwardly from the magnet 98, for similar resting attachment.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the novel construction of the device affords interchangeability of various removable mounting members for desired selective removable securement to a variety of surfaces without making permanent changes in such surfaces or the structures of which they are a part.

Referring to-FIGS. 10 and 11, there is seen another embodiment of mounting means interchangeable with the previously described members and requiring only a minor modification of the working surface structure 16" for removable installation, the structure 16" being either wood or metal and provided with a hole 100 therethrough. A vertical rod 102 is externally threaded at least along its lower portion for threadedly receiving a wing nut 104, and is internally threaded at its upper end for receiving the base member stud 74. Two metal washers 106 and 108 and a cylindrical resilient washer 110 loosely receive the rod 102 through their central apertures in coaxial relationship. The upper washer 108 has a larger diameter than that of the base members cylindrical sidewall 78 so that the base member 26 rests upon the washer 108. The lower washer 106 performs its obvious function of permitting easy tightening of the nut 104 upon the rod 102 for drawing all of the members into tight engagement and assembly. The resilient washer serves both to protect the surface 16" and also to vertically space the front end of the device. A rubber bumper 112 is threadedly attached to the rear end of the device, via stud 86" extending from the bumper 112 and passed through a washer 114, for similarly protecting surface 16" and vertically spacing the rear end of the device whereby lever arm 10 is parallel to the surface 16'.

It now will be appreciated that the present invention provides a relatively inexpensive, easily operated and efficient device for performing its desired functions in a safe and economical manner, and with universal adaptability to all operating surface conditions via readily interchangeable mounting members.

lclaim:

1. A destruction device for irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the plastic syringe portion of a hypodermic needle, comprising:

first and second elongated levers, each of said levers having a forward end and a rearward end;

pivot means interconnecting said first and second elongated levers adjacent said forward ends thereof for permitting relative pivotal motion of said second lever with respect to said first lever;

manually-engageable handle means secured to said second lever adjacent its said rearward end for manual engagement for movement of said second lever with respect to said first lever; and

destruction means located on said first and second levers intermediate said handle and pivot means for irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the plastic syringe portion of a hypodermic needle to prevent reuse thereof, said destruction means comprising:

flattening means, said flattening means comprising flat surfaces located respectively on said first and second elongated levers in opposed registration with each other for direct flush abutment together upon closingof said levers with respect to each other for the irreversible flattening of the tubular metal needle portion of a hypodermic needle positioned therebetween; and

ridged surfaces located respectively on said first and second elongated levers in opposed registration with each other for engagement of the syringe portion of a hypodermic needle between said ridged surfaces for irreversible deformation of the syringe portion upon closing of said levers toward each other.

2. A destruction device in accordance with claim 1 further including: 7

a vertically extending pin rigidly secured to one of said levers rearwardly adjacent its corresponding said ridged surface; and

the other of said levers defining a hole in opposed registration with said pin for fitted reception thereof upon closing of said levers, whereby said pin stops and holds such a syringe portion against rearward movement from between said ridged surfaces during closing of said levers.

3. A destruction device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pin has a sharply pointed free end whereby closing of said levers upon a syringe portion causes a bulge to form in a syringe portion to extend over said pin for piercing thereby.

4. A destruction device in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said ridged surfaces comprises a plurality of parallel transverse ridges each having a relatively narrow top surface and defining alternating concavities therebetween.

5. A destruction device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said top surfaces of said ridges reside in a common plane, and only two of said ridges of each of said ridged surfaces contact such syringe portion for concentration of stress thereon.

6. A destruction device in accordance with claimv 5 wherein said common plane is coplanar with said flat surface.

7. A destruction device in accordance with claim 6 further including:

a single vertically extending pin rigidly secured to one of said levers rearwardly adjacent its corresponding said ridged surface; and

9. A destruction device in accordance with claim 8 wherein base means is secured to said levers at the forward end thereof, said base means being for removable securement to a surface, said first lever being disposed below said second lever in a vertical plane.

10. A destruction device in accordance with claim 9 wherein:

said base means comprises an inverted cup-shaped portion having a top wall and a cylindrical sidewall, and a threaded stud integral with said top wall and downwardly extending therefrom in coaxial relationship to said sidewall; and said rearward end of said first lever is tapped, whereby said base means and the rearward end of said first lever are in threaded reception engagement with mounting means. 11. A destruction device in accordance with claim 10 wherein:

each of said pairs includes a forward one thereof having internally threaded means for threadedly receiving said base means stud; and each of said pairs includes a rearward one thereof having a second threaded stud adapted for threaded insertion into such top of said first lever rearward end.

12. The method of irreversibly disabling a hypodermic needle having a tubular metal needle portion and a plastic syringe portion comprising practicing the following steps in any order:

engaging the tubular metal needle portion of the hypodermic needle between flat surfaces located in opposed registration on first and second elongated levers, which levers are pivoted together at one end and manually engageable at the other end for the manual closing thereof so that the tubular metal needle portion is irreversibly flattened; and

irreversibly deforming the syringe portion of a hypodermic needle by engaging the syringe portion between ridged surfaces located in opposed registration with each other on the first and second levers and closing the levers with respect to each other, so that the syringe portion is rendered unusuable. 

1. A destruction device for irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the plastic syringe portion of a hypodermic needle, comprising: first and second elongated levers, each of said levers having a forward end and a rearward end; pivot means interconnecting said first and second elongated levers adjacent said forward ends thereof for permitting relative pivotal motion of said second lever with respect to said first lever; manually-engageable handle means secured to said second lever adjacent its said rearward end for manual engagement for movement of said second lever with respect to said first lever; and destruction means located on said first and second levers intermediate said handle and pivot means for irreversibly disabling both the tubular metal needle portion and the plastic syringe portion of a hypodermic needle to prevent reuse thereof, said destruction means comprising: flattening means, said flattening means comprising flat surfaces located respectively on said first and second elongated levers in opposed registration with each other for direct flush abutment together upon closing of said levers with respect to each other for the irreversible flattening of the tubular metal needle portion of a hypodermic needle positioned therebetween; and ridged surfaces located respectively on said first and second elongated levers in opposed registration with each other for engagement of the syringe portion of a hypodermic needle between said ridged surfaces for irreversible deformation of the syringe portion upon closing of said levers toward each other.
 2. A destruction device in accordance with claim 1 further including: a vertically extending pin rigidly secured to one of said levers rearwardly adjacent its corresponding said ridged surface; and the other of said levers defining a hole in opposed registration with said pin for fitted reception thereof upon closing of said levers, whereby said pin stops and holds such a syringe portion against rearward movement from between said ridged surfaces during closing of said levers.
 3. A destruction device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said pin has a sharply pointed free end whereby closing of said levers upon a syringe portion causes a bulge to form in a syringe portion to extend over said pin for piercing thereby.
 4. A destruction device in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said ridged surfaces comprises a plurality of parallel transverse ridges each having a relatively narrow top surface and defining alternating concavities therebetween.
 5. A destruction device in accordance with claim 4 wherein said top surfaces of said ridges reside in a common plane, and only two of said ridges of each of said ridged surfaces contact such syringe portion for concentration of stress thereon.
 6. A destruction device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said common plane is coplanar with said flat surface.
 7. A destruction device in accordance with claim 6 further including: a single vertically extending pin rigidly secured to one of said levers rearwardly adjacent its corresponding said ridged surface; and the other of said levers defining a hole in opposed registration with said pin for fitted reception thereof upon closing of said levers, whereby said pin stops and holds such a syringe portion against rearward movement from between said ridged surfaces during closing of said levers.
 8. A destruction device in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pin has a sharply pointed free end whereby closing of said levers upon a syringe portion causes a bulge to form in such syringe portion to extend over said pin for piercing thereby.
 9. A destruction device in accordance with claim 8 wherein base means is secured to said levers at the forward end thereof, said base means being for removable securement to a surface, said first lever being disposed below said second lever in a vertical plane.
 10. A destruction device in accordance with claim 9 wherein: said base means comprises an inverted cup-shaped portion having a top wall and a cylindrical sidewall, and a threaded stud integral with said top wall and downwardly extending therefrom in coaxial relationship to said sidewall; and said rearward end of said first lever is tapped, whereby said base means and the rearward end of said first lever are in threaded reception engagement with mounting means.
 11. A destruction device in accordance with claim 10 wherein: each of said pairs includes a forward one thereof having internally threaded means for threadedly receiving said base means stud; and each of saiD pairs includes a rearward one thereof having a second threaded stud adapted for threaded insertion into such top of said first lever rearward end.
 12. The method of irreversibly disabling a hypodermic needle having a tubular metal needle portion and a plastic syringe portion comprising practicing the following steps in any order: engaging the tubular metal needle portion of the hypodermic needle between flat surfaces located in opposed registration on first and second elongated levers, which levers are pivoted together at one end and manually engageable at the other end for the manual closing thereof so that the tubular metal needle portion is irreversibly flattened; and irreversibly deforming the syringe portion of a hypodermic needle by engaging the syringe portion between ridged surfaces located in opposed registration with each other on the first and second levers and closing the levers with respect to each other, so that the syringe portion is rendered unusuable. 